Lift-bridge



5 SheetsSheefn 1. J. F. ALDEN. LIFT BRIDGE.

(No Model.)

Patented July 1, 1890.

J. F; ALDEN.

5 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

LIFT BRIDGE.

Patented July 1, 1890.

mm *0 e e h S S t e e h S 5 N E I R AB T FF m u (No Model.)

No. 431,101. Patented July 1,1890.

M .1 I I; 1

mdmm 6. 75244214. 7

m: NDRRIG ravens m, mo'ro-uwo 'wAsv-umawu, n. c.

(No Model.) 5 Sheets-'-Sheet 4. J. F. ALDEN.

LIFT BRIDGE.

No. 431,101. Patented July 1,1890

E 7/ ImenZ-or 7' L hZiy Jade/14.,

Aiezorne (No Model.) Q 5 Sheets-Sheet 5. J. P. ALDEN.

LIFT BRIDGE.

No. 431,101. Patented July 1, 1890.

li'ikomey.

UNITED STATES I PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN F. ALDEN, OF ROCHESTER, NEWV YORK.

LIFT-BRIDGE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 431,101, dated July 1, 1890.

Application filed April 19, 1890.

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JOHN F. ALDEN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Rochester, in the county of Monroe, in the State of New York, have invented an Improved Lift-Bridge, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying draw ings.

My invention relates to improvements in the construction of lift-bridges, which improvements are fully described and illustrated in the following specification and accompanying drawings, and the novel features thereof specified in the claims annexed to the said specification.

In the accompanying drawings, representing a lift-bridge embodying myimprovements, Figure 1 is a side elevation. Fig. 2 is a plan View of the top of the structure. Fig. 3 is a side view of the counter-weight. Fig. 4 is a plan of the same; Fig. 5 is a plan view of the motor-floor. Fig. 6 shows the manner of connecting the cables with the counter-weight. Figs. 7 and 8 represent the construction of the counter-weight. Fig. 9 is an end elevation, partially in section. Fig. 10 represents the recess in the abutment to receive the end of the lower longitudinal girder. Fig. 11 is a plan view of the same. Fig. 12 represents one of the cable-wheels, showing one of the counter-weights in section. Fig. 13 represents the cable-wheel as seen at right angles to Fig. 12. Fig. 14. represents one of the girders on the lower chords, showing the manner of connecting the cables with the suspendingrods and also one of the corner-pulleys. Fig. 15 is a view of the connection between the cable and suspending-rod, taken at right angles to Fig. 14. Fig. 16 is a plan View of the slotted plate. Fig. 17 is a horizontal section on the line 17 17, Fig. 6.

My invention is designed to produce a simple, practical, and substantial lift-bridge for use in carrying roadways or railways at alow level over canals or other bodies of water, whilepermitting canal or other boats or ves sels to pass when the movable platform constituting the bridge proper is raised.

In the accompanying drawings a little more than one-half of the bridge is shown in Figs. 1,, 2, and 5, the portion not shown being sub- $erial No. 348,664. (No model.)

stantially a duplicate of the part which is represented.

My improved lift-bridge consists, essen* tially, of a suitable truss or frame-work A A A A, supported at the required distance above the water on piers or columns B B, the movable platform or bridge proper O, a suitablehydraulic or other motor D mounted on the frame-Work, the counter-weights E E, and suitable connections and shafting whereby the platform is raised and lowered by the operation of the motor. Provision is made for causing the platform to rise evenly without twist or tremor by shafting and gears on the upper members of the elevated truss,

which shafting carries pulleys over which the lifting-cables pass. The power of the motor, which is preferably located centrally on the bridge, is transmitted in each direction by:

ropes or cables passing around corner-pulleys to the counter-weights, so that the motor operates to lift the platform by pulling downward on the counter-weights at a number of points in their length, thus securing an equable application of the force.

Various other novel points of construction and arrangement are embodied in the invention.

The piers or columns on which the elevated truss is supported are constructed in any ordinary or preferred way. They are usually placed as near the edge of the bank as practicable; but in canal-bridgesthe piers at one end of the bridge should be located at a sufficient distance from the water to permit the passage of draft-animals on the tow-path F, Fig. 1, between the end of the platform and the columns, so as not to interfere with the ropes used for towing. The elevated truss itself is constructed in any suitable manner, consisting of the upper and lower members A A A A, with suitable beams G G G G and diagonal or other bracing H. The upper and lower members may also be stiffenedin the horizontal direction by the bracing I I.

At the ends of the trusses the braces represented in Fig. 9 may be employed.

The platform or bridge proper G is sustained by the rods J J, which are connected 'with the cables K K, which pass over the pulleys L L on the upper members of the eleter-weights E E.

vated truss and thence downward to the coun- The movements of the platform and counter-weights are represented by the full and dotted lines O C E E EE" in Figs. 1 and 9 of the drawings. The counter-weights are disposed lengthwise of the bridge, and they are preferably made of a length nearly equal thereto. As indicated in Fig. 9, the paths traversed by the counterweights are included between the upper and lower series of transverse girders. The counter-weights are connected together by the transverse beams M M, except directly above the motor, and the ropes or cables N N, by which the counter-weights are drawn downward and the platform elevated, are connected to these beams. All the cables N N are led under the corner-pulleys O O, and thence in each direction toward the preferably central- ]y-located drums P P, Figs. 1 and 9, which are caused to revolve by the motor D.v As the drums revolve, the cables N N are wound upon them, thus drawing down the counterweights and elevating the platform. As indicated inFig. 1, the cables N N coming-from one direction are led onto the upper side of the drums P P and those coming from the opposite direction are led onto the lower side of the drums, so as to secure the motion of the cables in the proper direction to draw the counter-weights down in elevating the platform. The drums P P are connected together by the shaft Q, so that they turn at the same speed, and the power for lifting the platform is thus distributed equally to the counter-weights at as many points as there are cables N N.

In order to secure a smooth and equable movement of the platform, I connect all the pulleys L L over which the lifting-cables K K, connecting the platform and the counter weights, run by means of the shafts R R R and bevel-gears S S S S placed above the upper member of the truss. shaft corresponding to R, with suitable bevel-gears, is used .on the end of the bridge. (Not shown in the drawings.) The pulleys L L on both sides of the bridge are thus connected together and caused to revolve at the same speed, thus equalizing any irregularity in the strain on the cables and securing the elevation of the platform without jar or twist. The shafts R R revolve in suitable journals on the transverse beams G, and the crossshafts R are sustained in any suitable manner as, for instance, by the struts or brackets T T, attached to the beams G U, Fig. 2. The friction of the cables K K on the pulleys L L insures an equable distribution of the power, as the shafts R R are connected together at each end by the transverse shafts R and bevel-gears of equal size. In the particular construction shown in the drawings the cables N N over the motor are attached to brack- 5 ets M M, Fig. 5, secured to the counterweights, as at this point the cross-beams M M A transverse would come in contact with the motor when the bridge is raised.

The platform is allowed to descend by the reversal of the motor, which communicates power to the shaft Q and the drums P P, or, in case a hydraulic motor is employed, as represented in the accompanying drawings, by opening the outlet-valve so as to permit the discharge of the water from thecylinder, so that the bridge gradually settles by gravity to its supports on the abutments. A platform F, Figs. 5 and 9, is provided in suitable relation with the motor for the operative who manages the bridge. The elevation of this platform enables the bridge-tender to maintain an effective look-out in every direction. The motor may be inclosed within a suitable structure, which protects it from the weather and affords shelter for the bridge-tender, while permitting, from his elevated position, a free outlook for signals or approaching boats.

Referring now more particularly to details of construction, it will be observed that the cables K are double and the pulleys L provided with two grooves adapted to receive the two cables, as by this construction I am enabled to secure the requisite strength with an amount of flexibility which permits the use of small pulleys on the shafts R R. The cables are attached to the rods J, which 0011- nect with the platform by cable-sockets a a, Fig. 15, engaging with the bolt 1), passing through the yoke V, which is secured to the upper end of the rod by the nut or nuts 0. The rod J is threaded and provided with the jamnuts d, which bear on the collar 6 when the platform is down. The collar e may be placed either directly on the longitudinal beams A of the lower member of the truss, or, as represented in the drawings, on the cross-beams G. The nuts 01 are adjustable on the rod J, so that when the bridge is down any strain on it will be carried by the lower chord of the truss. The nuts (Z on the rods J may be adjusted so that each rod will carry its due proportion of the load on the platform.

* The manner of connecting the cables K to the counter-weights is represented in Figs. 3 and 4:. The counter-weights are constructed of a series of L-shaped castings, which, when pair of sections is made wider than the in termediate pair, so that the ends of the latter fit in between the ends of the former. The ends of the troughs are closed by suitable transverse partitions g. By making the counter-weights in sections the handling and putting in place is facilitated,while the troughshaped form adapts the counter-weights to receive and hold securely the additional weight which is placed in them. The cables K are attached to the counter-weights by being insertedin slots 2', Fig. 17, in blocks h, secured between the ends of the counter-weights by the bolts Z. At their ends the cables are provided with the collars or enlargements m, secured in any ordinary way, and the cables are held in place in the slots 1' by the slotted plates 01 02, Figs. "6 and 16, in which the slots is are formed at an angle with those in the blocks h. This construction secures the rapid connection of the work in the field, as the parts may be formed in the shop and put together in erecting the bridge without any fitting whatever.

The cables N, which transmit the power of the motor to the counter-weights, are attached to the cross-beams M, connecting the counterweights or the brackets h by the eyebolts 0, Fig. 12. The corner-pulleys O are sustained on shafts in suitable journals on brackets 19, attached ,to the girders G or to an intermediate frame-work. The number of the lifting-cables K and pulling-cables N may vary with the dimensions of the bridge, the design shown being suitable for a bridge of about seventy-five feet span and eighteen or twenty feet roadway. Footways l/VNV, Fig. 9, may be attached on each side of the bridge.

The drums PP are made of sufficient width to permit the winding of the various cables about them without interfering with each other. The pulleys O O are placed out of line with each other, so as to direct the cables in the proper relation with each other side by side onto the drums P P, and the eyebolts are arranged in the bars M so that the cables run straight onto the pulleys O.

The raisable platform is constructed in any suitable manner, preferably of two or more longitudinalbeams and suitable cross-girders, on which the floor is laid on stringers. The lifting-rods J are attached either directly to the longitudinal beams or to suitable straps r, Fig. 9, inserted at the joints in the beams. At the ends of the raisable platform one of the longitudinal beams X, Figs. 9 and 10, projects beyond the floor, and when the bridge is down enters recesses in the masonry or wood-work at the edge of the bank, the sides of which recesses are tapering, so that the bridge is guided into the proper place. This arrangement is particularly useful when the platform is crossed by railway or street-railroad tracks, as it insures the correct alignment of the rails. Fig. 10 is a sectional view through one of the abutments, taken at right angles to the length of the bridge, showing this arrangement, and Fig. 11 is a plan view of the same. The sides of the recesses s are protected by the metallic plates or bars '6, which incline toward each other from above downward, so that the'space between them is narrower at the bottom than at the top, the result of which construction is that the beam X in descending into the recesses is guided into its proper position when the platform is down, in case for any cause there should be any swaying or deviation from the correct path in the descent. The plates 15 maybe separate from each other, or, as shown in the drawings, they may be formed from a bar bent to the proper shape, the lower part a of which serves as a rest to support the ends of the beams. \Vhen the platform is down with the beam or beams X resting in the recesses s, the nut or nuts (1, Fig. 15, are adjusted so that each of the rods J bears its proper proportional amount of the weight of the platform and the load thereon. It will thus be seen that the load on the platform bears directly on the lower chord of the elevated truss. It is obvious that, instead of employing the nut or nuts d on the rods J for effecting-the requisite adjustment and distribution of the weight, the collar 6 may be made adjustable, so as to accomplish the same purpose, or the means of adjustment may be applied at the lower ends of the rods.

In case a water-1notor is used, as represented at D in the accompanying drawings, suitable supply and discharge pipes are connected to the cylinder of the motor.

Figs. 1 and 5 represent the pipe through which water under pressure is brought to the motor from any suitable source of supply,

such as the mains of a system of water-works. This pipe is provided with an inletvalve B", by opening which the water is allowed to enter the cylinder D, forcing its piston outward and causing the drums P P to revolve by means of the cables 0 and pulleys D". An exhaust valve and pipe -J' and J" are also provided, through which when the bridge is lowered the water is discharged. L is ahandwheel by which the inlet and discharge valves are operated. U is an air-cylinder to prevent any undue strain on the supply-pipes arising from suddenly shutting off the water. The inlet and discharge pipes are led up the posts or uprights which support the elevated truss.

I elaim- 1. The combination, with the raisable plat form of a lift-bridge, of the elevated truss, the lifting-rods J J, and means for adjusting the distribution of the weight on the lower member of the truss, substantially as described.

2. The combination, with the raisable platform of a lift-bridge, of the elevated truss, the threaded lifting-rods J J, and nuts (1, sub stantially as described.

3. The combination, with the raisable platform of a lift-bridge, of the elevated truss, the threaded lifting-rods J, nuts cl, and collars e, substantially as described.

4. The combination, with the raisable platform of a lift-bridge, of the elevated truss,

the motor supported by the truss and'provided with a suitable operating valve or valves, and suitable connecting mechanism whereby the platform is elevated by the motor, substantially as described.

5. The combination, with the raisable counterweighted platform of a lift-bridge, of the elevated truss, the motor supported by the truss and provided with a suitable operated valve or valves, and suitable connecting mechanism whereby the platform is elevated by the motor, substantially as described.

6. The combination, with the raisable platform of a lift-bridge, of the elevated truss, the motor supported by the truss, suitable connecting mechanism whereby the platform is elevated by the motor, and suitable piers or columns for sustaining the elevated truss, located at a distance from the edge of the bank, substantially as described.

7. The combination, with the raisable platform of a lift-bridge, of the cables K, pulleys L, and the trough-shaped counter-weight E, made of L-shaped sections, substantially as described.

8. The combination, with the raisable platform of a lift-bridge, of the elevated truss, the cables K, pulleys L, counter-weights E E, and cables N, connecting the counter-weights with the motor, whereby a downward pull on the counter-weights is caused to elevate the platform, substantially as described.

9. The combination, with the raisable platform of a lift-bridge, of the counter-weight E and cables K, attached to the counter-weight by the slotted block h and slotted plate 91, substantially as described.

10. The combination, with the raisable counterweighted platform of a lift-bridge, of the elevated truss, the motor-shaft Q, drums P P, and suitable connections whereby the platform is operated from the motor, substantially as described.

11. The combination, with the raisable platform of a lift-bridge, of a counter-Weight consisting of L-shaped sections secured together so as to form a trough, substantially as described. A

12. The combination, with the raisable platform of a lift-bridge, of anelevated truss, a motor located on the truss, having a transverse shaft provided on its ends with suitable drums, and a series of cables extending in opposite directions from the drums on each side of the bridge, and operating to lift the platform by being connected thereto at a sethe bridge, and suitable inlet and discharge pipes, substantially as described.

. 14. The combination, with the raisable platform of a lift-bridge, of the elevated truss, the motor supported by the truss and provided with a suitable operating valve or valves, a

platform for the operative located on the elevated truss, and suitable connecting mechanism whereby the platform is elevated by the motor, substantially as described.

15. The combination, with the raisable platform of a lift-bridge, of a longitudinal girder extending beyond the ends of the platform, and recesses in the abutments having inclined sides, whereby the platform is centered in its descent, substantially as described.

16. The combination, with the raisable plat form of a lift-bridge, of an elevated truss, the cables K and pulleys L, counter-Weights E E, and transverse connecting-bars M, substantially as described.

17 The combination, with the raisable platform of a lift-bridge, of an elevated truss, a motor located on the truss, the cables K and pulleys L, counter-Weights E E, transverse connecting-bars M, and cables N, connecting the counter-weights with the motor, substantially as described.

18. The combination, with the raisable platform of a lift-bridge, of an elevated truss, the counter-weights E E, the motor located on the truss, transverse shaft Q and drums P P, and a series of cables extending in each direction on each side the bridge from the drums to the transverse bars M, connecting the counter-weights, and around the corner-wheels O 0, located out of line with each other, substantially as described.

- JOHN F. ALDEN. Witnesses:

GEO. B. SELDEN, O. G. CRANNELL. 

